NEWS & EVENTS
This page includes both forthcoming and past events, as well as recent interviews. It also provides information about publications, compositions, and workshops. You will find details on adjudicating, presentations, reviews, as well as holiday and celebratory posts.
The 70th Hong Kong Schools Music Festival
Returning from my latest trip to Asia this week, I reflected on another thoroughly enjoyable sojourn to a favourite part of the world. I visited Asia twice last year and have a further trip planned later in 2018. There are so many wonderful facets to my visit that it’s difficult to put into words. Three…
Stars of the Albion Competition 2018
On Saturday I swapped my teaching for adjudicating, spending a day in London at the Musica Nova International Music Academy situated on Cromer Road, near King’s Cross train station. This busy studio is owned, and was founded, by Russian pianist and singer, Evgenia Terentieva. As well as a music academy, providing one-to-one tuition, for children…
A few thoughts on publishing houses: a tour of Oxford University Press
I was recently invited to tour Oxford University Press, the renowned publishing house affiliated to Oxford University. The premises of this outstanding company, situated in Oxford on Walton and Great Clarendon Street, is majestic, grand and almost 200 years old: OUP has used three major sites in Oxford city over the course of its history….
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
As another year draws to a close, I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog and, if you are a piano student, have found it useful. Here are the top eight blog posts of the year: several are perennially popular and have appeared on my Christmas ‘favourites’ list many times! 1. How long will it…
The London College of Music Piano Syllabus 2018 – 2020
The much awaited London College of Music (LCM) piano syllabus has finally been published. A new syllabus is always exciting – both for student and teacher. I am an enthusiastic supporter of piano exams; they provide a veritable goal for anyone learning, particularly for younger players. And whilst an exam syllabus should never be used…
Presenting at a Piano Pedagogy Conference
Until last week, I had attended only one piano pedagogy conference and I had never participated in such an event. After a successful trip to the Far East over the Summer, where I gave three weeks of classes, lectures and workshops, I was invited to present at the UCSI University Piano Pedagogy Conference, held every…
Play it again: PIANO Book 2
About the Series Play it again: PIANO is designed for those ‘returning’ to the piano after a break. This could be anyone from a child or teenager to an adult. It’s an excellent progressive compendium providing interesting and useful repertoire for those stages between piano exams. Plus, it provides helpful information on piano technique, scales,…
A few thoughts on piano teaching in Singapore & Malaysia
I spent an energising and inspiring Summer period away from home this year. For me, this was the perfect way to enjoy a substantial break from my conventional teaching and writing. After working trips to the US (New York) and Germany (Gelsenkirchen), I savoured a relaxing, short holiday in Devon (South West of the UK)…
Practising Piano Waves
Piano Waves consists of five little pieces for the intermediate pianist; approximately Grade 4 – 6 level ABRSM. They were written in 2016, and have proved popular with all ages, but particularly with teenagers. They were inspired by my time giving recitals on cruise ships. This provided ample opportunity to observe the sea in all…
Polishing Your Piano Technique: Jackdaws Course 2018
If you fancy a relaxing weekend in the most beautiful English country setting, with scrumptious home cooked food, you will love the courses held at Jackdaws Music Educational Trust. There is plenty of opportunity to hone your piano skills whilst meeting new like-minded friends. Situated in Somerset, near Frome, this music course venue is exceptional….
A student’s memories: Patricia Carroll (1932 – 2017)
Last Friday I attended the funeral – probably the most beautiful and moving I have ever witnessed – of one of my piano professors, and I felt compelled to write this short, personal reflection. Teachers have a huge impact on our lives, particularly when we worked with them as youngsters; they influence everything from repertoire…
Play it again: PIANO Book 1
About the Series My four-book piano course, Play it again: PIANO has been written with the ‘returner’ in mind. Book 1 takes pianists back to Grade 1 level of the British music examination board standard. The entire course consists of 97 piano pieces from the Prep Book through to Book 3. Most pieces are drawn…